Oakland beating Indy!

Indy beating Oakland! :(

I sense a porky. Can't believe a guy as smart as you wouldn't know how to change a page on Wikipedia.
Deadspin-tastic.

Sweet to watch, although I think Travis Daniels was a bit out of order to the Baltimore player:
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d805248bb

Tampa Bay get first Kickoff return in franchise history. 31 years, I think...

Not very classy, jumping on an opponents back to celebrate, but I can understand the elation and the moment getting too much for someone.

Being fair, Travis Daniels probably knows he'll be playing two-way football in the Arena League in a few months.

Weird.

Eagles 10-6 up coming up to 2 minutes left, Dallas out of timeouts.

Westbrook runs for a first down and is heading for a TD and a 17-6 lead and he just stops at the 1 yd line.

I know the Eagles can run all of the time off the clock but isn't an 11 point lead (2 scores, 3 if you include the 2pt conversion) just as good?

No difference, Eagles win anyway and I'm glad I don't have Westbrook in my fantasy team or I'd be p*ssed :D

Go Green Bay now for home field advantage. Let's see Dallas go to Wisconsin in January :D

Agreed, but give a shit.

I've been out drinking all night. It was one of the proudest moments of my life. Just one W is so important. It means that 30 years time people won't remember us as the worst team of all time!

Greg Camarillo, you rock my world!

Not at all.

Super smart play and I'm surprised we don't see this more often. The Jets official (as per their website) best single offensive play of 2006 was the 64 yard run from Leon Washington to the Miami 10 yard line with the score at 10-10. Had he scored a TD Miami would have had 2 mins to get level. As it was the Jets ran down the clock, kicked the FG and left Miami with 8 seconds to make 80 yards or so.

Did you not see how Dallas beat Buffalo earlier this year?

Why give the opposition a 1% chance when you can give them 0%?

Just shows how smart a player Westbrook is.

Peyton Manning orchestrated something similar against Kansas last month when opting for a 13-10 win instead of going 17-10 up with 2 mins to play.

Well done Westbrook
:p

Delighted to see the Fins finally get a win. Happy for Ben especially :D

And that Bills v Browns game was hilarious. Talk about playing in ALL conditions :D :D

You could tell the weather was bad in Cleveland when the stands there were deserted to begin the second half.

Great win for the Skins last night in difficult conditions. I have a feeling they're going to win against the Vikings and then their play-off hopes will rest on beating their closest rivals at Fed Ex...

It's different when the score is level and you can run down the clock to kick a field goal to win.

But when you are 4 points up with another 7 to add - 11 points in 2 under 2 minutes with no timeouts?

Granted, there is a chance but given the conditions in Giants Stadium and the fact Manning was throwing rocks the whole night, I'd have run it in, stuck two fingers up at the Giants' fans and then sat down to watch Eli throw 3 incomplete passes... :D

On a side note, apparently the decision came from Westbrook too, he wasn't told to by the sidelines. So, yes, well done Westbrook :)

If they beat the Vikings, I think they'll both finish 9-7 giving the Skins the tie-breaker.

Whoops, forgot the Saints who currently hold the tie-breaker over both these teams and could also finish 9-7

Manning/ Giants? Did you mean Cowboys/Romo?

As others have said, earlier in the year Cowboys scored a TD then a FG (after recovering the onside kick) inside the final minute to beat the Bills. It does happen, and in that situation taking three McNabb knees was clearly the more sensible choice.

You'll have a tough time. Vikes have looked great of late. Jackson playing well, Taylor and Peterson running riot... I quite fancy them as this year's surprise package in the play-offs.

(They'll no doubt piss it all up the wall tonight against the Bears now I've jinxed them...)

Vikings do look good right now but I've been impressed with the Skins the past two games

Get the impression that sloppy defeat to the Bills after Taylor's death really pissed them off.

How do the Saints hold the tie-breaker over the Skins? They've not played each other this season and the Skins beat them last season

How does that work?

Record in in-conference games?

Yep, the Saints have a winning conference record, the other two teams are at .500.

Haha, yes... I was in the middle of reading the Giants report from last night when I typed the post! :o

Neat Steelers' story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3158287

The fines in the NFL (and obviously the wages) are insane. Still Vick is an idiot and deserves everything he got.

http://www.wsbtv.com/sports/14875683/detail.html

"The NFL has fined five Atlanta Falcons players after they showed support for disgraced quarterback Michael Vick during the Falcons nationally televised loss to the New Orleans Saints last Monday.

The NFL said the very public displays of support for Vick violated NFL uniform code policy in a couple of cases and, in fact, was so "in the face" of NFL leadership that the fines were doubled in some cases.

Tight end Alge Crumpler, cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Chris Houston and wide receiver Roddy White were fined $10,000 each. Hall and Crumpler wore black eye strips with writing on them supporting Vick. Hall also carried a poster supporting Vick which he taped to the back of the bench where players sit.

White wore a "Free Mike Vick" shirt underneath his jersey, which he showed after scoring a touchdown. Wide receiver Joe Horn was fined $7,500 for pulling up White's jersey.

It has not been made clear exactly what Houston did to violate the code.

Vick was sentenced to 23 months in jail on federal dogfighting charges Monday."

Anyone showing support for that prick deserves to be put into a dog pen and killed for sport. What a ridiculous thing to show support for, especially since Vick admitted guilt.

Agree 100%, I cant believe they chose to show their support so publically especially when he is such a tosser

Nice pass by the Vikings QB just before half time :rolleyes:

Is DeAngelo Hall the biggest dickhead in football? Quite possibly.

Another big win for the Vikes. They're gonna steamroller ya, Nooks.

Yeah, now I get it :(

Poxy Bears :(

http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsessi...o&confirm=true

I think the Vikings, Skins and Saints could all finish 9-7 with their remaining schedules.

The Skins would have to beat the Vikings, however, and hope the Cowboys rest up a few guys on the final week, #1 seed spot pending.

I can also see the Giants finishing 9-7

Buffalo will want to give their fans something to cheer with the pressure off and New England will be going for the 16&0

Plus, the Giants looked rotten against the Skins

They did indeed. Given they blame the weather for poor home form, a trip to Buffalo and a home game to NE isn't the ideal finish...

No idea who holds the tiebreakers if all four finish level!

D'oh! Teach me to come onto this thread mid-way through a Sky+ viewing.

Astonishing how much better the Channel 5 guy is compared to Kevin Cadle.

As someone who has now had 2 emails from Nick Halling (because I commented on how poor I thought he was), and as someone who converses regularly with Nat Coombs and met Mike on a few occasions, I make no secrets as to where my loyalties lie.

C5 is so much more interesting and laid back. It's perfect for any level of fan. A novice who has come back drunk from the pub would find Mike Carlson interesting (and Nat's questions are often what a lot of people are thinking), and he still has something to offer if you are a long term pro at the sport.

Sky in comparison is frankly dull and rigid. I apreciate it's for a different audience (due to it's hours) but it could be so much better.

The christmas shows on C5 are awesome by the way. Such a laugh. Because they've had a few drinks, there's jokes and banter all over the place!

You can't beat John Madden ;)

He's really struggling now though. Half the things he says are wrong!!!

I swear he's losing it!

or is it just me???

Nice quote I was given today:

""Cameron today is coaching a team that has lost its starting quarterback, two starting-caliber running backs and the backup running back, the starting middle linebacker, the starting weak-side linebacker, both the starting safeties from the start of the season and two of their backups, and the team's No. 1 receiver, who was traded away."

"If Bill Belichick lost Tom Brady, Rodney Harrison, Randy Moss, Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk and Heath Evans, James Sanders, Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi, there is little chance the remaining corpse of a team would be in the playoffs."

"Would that suddenly make Belichick a bad coach?"


- from an article on miamiherald.com

I'd still put money on the Patriots backups being, man for man, better than 1-13!

But I get your point.

How much better do you think the Fins would've done with a fit team?

Not much better in my opinion.

Plus there was the astonishing season that the Patriots had with Troy Brown playing nickel back, Vrabel's introduction as a tight end, etc.

To me the big cogs for the Patriots are Brady, Welker, Seymour, Bruschi and Harrison. Keep those five fit and they're fine. (Yes, I've left out Moss. He's awesome but they'd do perfectly well without him.)

Oh, and I agree with what Elliott says about Madden, although he's still a legend. Last night's game was the first time I've thought how bad Tirico was though.

Maybe not such a good thing that we beat the Ravens:
http://deadspin.com/sports/baltimore...oof-335261.php

I think I like Tirico. But that could be because Cornheiser (sp?) is shit!!! Wilbon would be MUCH better.

Ok, I am very honest and admit this is my first season following the NFL. So, we are nearing the end of the regular game season, and would a BBS NFL expert be kind enough to tell me how the lay out to the play off works?

6 teams from each conference go through to the playoffs (AFC & NFC).

4 div winners and 2 best records after that. ranked by record.

6 v 3, 5 v 4.

winners of those two go on to play 1 and 2 ranked teams, and then straight knockout from there a la normal playoffs, ending in AFC v NFC (Superbowl) at the end.

Teams from the AFC and NFC do not mix through out the playoffs.

Also, the higher ranked team is always at home. The number 1 seed in each conference, assuming they make it, will get 2 home games prior to the Super Bowl.

And a number 5 or 6 seed would probably have to play all three games on the road to get to the big match (unless they met each other in the Conference Final)!

As it stands:

AFC
1. Patriots (won division and secured #1 spot)
2. Colts (won division and secured #2 spot)
3. San Diego (won division)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (tied with Browns at top of AFC North)
Wildcards
5. Jaguars (better record than SD and Steelers but second in their division. Beat Oakland next week and they're in)
6. Browns

At present:
(Game 1) Browns @ SD
(Game 2) Jaguars @ Pittsburgh

Then:
Lowest seed @ NE
Highest seed @ Colts

Same for NFC (see link!) but with more still up for grabs!
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...o&confirm=true

Taylor chosen for Pro-Bowl

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...o&confirm=true

Cowgirls have 11 Pro-bowlers, Patriots 8, Packers only 4 compared to the Vikings SEVEN!!

Even Jason Taylor made it in!

Which is ridiculous. I think he's had a poor season.

No Jaguars, although Fred Taylor admitting to voting for himself probably didn't help matters.

10 times... maybe he should have tried 20,000 times and he'd have made it :D

Did Leon Washington or David Harris make it in?

Somehow I can't see any other Jets getting in!!!

Just looked, no Harris which I can understand but why no Leon Washington?

The man's done more kick returns for TDs (3) by himself than any other entire team has managed!!!!!

Justin Miller got in on the strength of two kick return TDs last year.

AAAAAAAAAAAAND Leon's a pretty decent RB as well as Strathclyde is well aware!!!

You can shove your Joshua Cribbs up your ass.

I voted for him. A very fitting tribute I think.

I voted for Washington for the AFC kick returner. Obviously, Hester was a shoe-in for the NFC spot.

Me also. As soon as I heard about the campaign to have him voted in, it was a no-brainer.

Also good to note he gets the starting spot too. Wonder if they'll do the first play with 10 men like the Skins did?

I think the NFC should have some kind of 21 patch as well. Kind of a pity Brian Moorman didn't make it in a way.

Parcells to the Fins front office?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3161733

Not sure this is a good sign. He left the Patriots and Jets salary caps in an utter mess.

Kerry Rhodes listed as a snub here, which seems pretty fair:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...len&id=3160443

I don't see any being a "snub" when thousands of people vote. It would take a huge effort to snub a player out!

It is more of a popularity contest than anything else though. Anyway, by the time the game is played so many people will have pulled out that the rosters won't look anything like the way they do now.

Parcells to the Fins then, eh? Never liked the guy, but we definitely need someone to give us a boot up the jacksie...

Im in the States right now and so many Giants fans seem to think they are going to beat the Pats :D

:D

It's officially the biggest mismatch statistically in NFL history.

The thing Miami have to be grateful for is that NYJ softened the Pats up last week

And once again I'll have a token couple of quid on Miami just in case. Got 50/1 on NYJ last week when it went to 10-0 and got a run for my money.

For one of the few times ever that you'll read this from me - GO DOLPHINS!!!

Great commentary quote after the Bengals pick of Anderson again

"It's not time to be Santa" :)

Oh no, it's available on the red button. :sob:

Cris, do you fancy guessing the lines for next week in a Simmons/Cousin Sal style?

At some point teams will realise that zone coverage is never the right way to play against the Patriots. The only teams who have got near them (the Eagles & Ravens) have played their receivers in man coverage.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I made it to the final of the Yahoo fantasy league I play in with some old ZOO colleagues. Thinking the Colts would rest Manning and Wayne, I dropped them both... for Sage Rosenfels and Kevin Curtis.

Curtis had an ok day, Rosenfels threw three picks, Wayne and Manning both had stormers which would have scored me 50+ points.

Oh, and the other team have Tom Brady behind centre, and he already looks on course for big numbers.

Shit it!

You just made me wonder if I'd done my pick-em picks this week.

I had, but for some strange reason in spite of thinking the Giants would win in Buffalo (because they're not winning next week) I picked the Bills.

That's twice Cleo Lemon has tried to get David Martin killed today.

Good strategy actually. :D

Brady having a field day. Frick, frick, frick. Stupid Colts putting out a full strength side!

Don't really believe this stuff Simms is saying about the OL being the Fins biggest problem. It's only exceptionally bad today because the Pats know we're in ball-control/damage-limitation mode.

Biggest issue has to be the secondary if you ask me, as proved by a couple of completions that should have easily been broken up (including the last TD).

Cleo Lummox needs shooting

What a gutless act that was. Could extended the arm OR dived in!!

The irony being is that he tried to pass on 3rd down when it was wide open for him to run in!!!!

Don't understand us going for TDs. Get on the board, get the clock run down and then go home. Don't know if Cameron's trying to show Parcells how brave he is or something.

It's seen as the cowardly way. Also a sign that you respect your opponent enough that you will earn the right to not have a shutout against you.

In their situation and with Cleo Lummox's development in mind, they're right to try things.

Jets defense been outstanding since the bye week.

Stick that defense with the Cleveland offense and you'd have a decent side.

Tragic that the OL of the NYJ is so dire.

Pennington capable of churning out 26/32 despite being sacked 6 times. Crazy that he was held accountable for many of the losses when the problem wasn;t at QB!!

Fair enough.
Chicks still dig the long ball though. Not happening with Chad at the wheel.

Bring on the Cowgirls! :)

Wonder how Dallas will play it next week. A skins win means a play-off game against the Cowboys...

Go Skins! :)

:lux: :lux: :lux:

Win against the old enemy and the Skins are play off bound....

The Palace fan in me expects the Skins to be up at half time & lose...

Have a great Christmas everyone. :p

I take it you decided not to go?

Nice story, this:

http://www.kansascity.com/180/story/414420.html

Joe Posnanski is getting quite a reputation for being an excellent writer.

thanks for the link Benzhiyi; I really enjoyed the piece

Can't afford it. gutted now :(

Would be some day to be a Redskins fan at FedEx if they win.

Not going to the playoffs = :(

Beating the Packers twice = :D :lux:

From reading various websites it seems the Redskins are this season's Saints - the team the neutrals are cheering for after facing adversity

A lot of pundits seem to think Jason Campbell's injury was a blessing and that Collins' knowledge of an Al Saunders offence could take the Skins far in the play-offs, along with all that emotion of playing for Taylor

Here's hoping so :)

Random and quick guesses of the week 17 lines. Have probably been up for days but fun to do nevertheless.

Patriots @ Giants - Patriots by 9.5
49Ers @ Browns - Browns by 6.5
Lions @ Packers - Packers by 8.5
Saints @ Bears - Saints by 1
Jaguars @ Texans - Jaguars by 4.5
Panthers @ Buccaneers - Buccs by 7
Bills @ Eagles - Eagles by 3
Bengals @ Dolphins - Bengals by 6.5
Seahawks @ Falcons - Seahawks by 11
Vikings @ Broncos - Vikings by 2
Steelers @ Ravens - Steelers by 9.5
Cowboys @ Redskins - Cowboys by 1.5
Chiefs @ Jets - Jets by 3
Chargers @ Raiders - Chargers by 14
Rams @ Cardinals - Cardinals by 7
Titans @ Colts - Colts by 4.5

Just found some lines. Let's just say I'm way off and probably won't be doing that again. :clown:

You know the way every team has an incident or something related to them that they'd like to disassociate themselves from?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INBayZpjeSY

I loved that Patriots team. I bought Pro Football Weekly, learned the names of all the Pats players, watched C4 every week, tried to listen to the games on American Overseas Radio, and when the Pats kicked a field goal to go 3-0 up in the Super Bowl I jumped up and down like a maniac. I forget what happened next.

Was the season I got into the sport. Lots of interesting teams that year (I'll save Grim the trouble and mention Wesley Walker's 88 and 96 yard TDs in quick succession) - the America's Game episode this Saturday on Sky in that season's Bears team. I've made sure to set the Sky+ already because they're on far too early for me to remember they're on.

And in the ABC booth and not a controversial choice at all? OJ Simpson.

Very loosely NFL, but genius nevertheless:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jxInN_El3QE

Pats 16-14 with 2 minutes to go in the 2nd qtr.
Not had it all their own way, but still better than any other team out there.
What concerns me, is that they will most likely lose to some outsider in the play-offs :(

Edit Giants 21-16 at the half and they deserve it.

Gonna be a great 4th quarter!

Don't give them an inch :p

10 point lead with 1 minute left. NY have to score this time. It is quite some achievement.